Handling reels in high-speed takeup

ABSTRACT

A dual position takeup apparatus with spaced parallel axes of rotation includes facilities for automatically loading empty reels and unloading reels full of strand material. The full reels are removed from the takeup positions and prepared for movement from the apparatus in a manner such that essentially all the strand material is wound on the reels with no loose ends extending therefrom. A conveyor associated with each of the takeup positions advances incrementally empty reels along a path of travel parallel to the axis of rotation of, and into proximate alignment with, the associated one of two takeup positions. A load-unload arm is moved into engagement with a leading one of the empty reels on the conveyor and then turned pivotally to move the leading one of the reels up a ramp into the associated one of the takeup positions. While strand material is distributed upon the reel in the one takeup position, the load-unload arm associated with the other takeup position is operated to permit the full reel therein to move down the associated ramp, desirably without any substantial rolling, until the full reel is received on the conveyor associated with the other takeup position. Then the full reel is turned rotatably in the direction of takeup to wind any loose ends of strand material extending therefrom. The conveyor is operated to move the full reel toward an unload position and the leading one of the empty reels into proximate transverse alignment with the other takeup position. The arm is controlled to engage the empty reel and move the empty reel up the associated ramp to the associated other one of the takeup positions.

United States Patent 11 1 Foltyn et al.

[4 1 Apr. 15, 1975 [73] Assignee: Western Electric Company,

Incorporated, New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Feb. 6, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 440,231

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.228,595, Feb. 23,

1972, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 242/25 A; 242/79 [51] Int. Cl. B65h 67/04 [58] Field ofSearch... 242/25 A, 25 R, 18 A, 18 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,546,637 3/1951 Robson242/25 A 3,174,700 3/1965 Lemaire 242/18 A 3,197,017 7/1965 Ungerer242/79 X 3,345,011 10/1967 Martin, Sr.... 242/79 X 3,348,785 10/1967Cocker 242/79 X 3,822,044 7/1974 Riekkinen 242/79 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1,118,061 11/1961 Germany 242/18 R 1,136,881 9/1962 Germany242/25 A Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Attorney, Agent, orFirm-E. W. Somers [57] ABSTRACT A dual position takeup apparatus withspaced parallel axes of rotation includes facilities for automaticallyloading empty reels and unloading reels full of strand material. Thefull reels are removed from the takeup positions and prepared formovement from the apparatus in a manner such that essentially all thestrand material is wound on the reels with no loose ends extendingtherefrom.

A conveyor associated with each of the takeup positions advancesincrementally empty reels along a path of travel parallel to the axis ofrotation of, and into proximate alignment with, the associated one oftwo takeup positions. A load-unload arm is moved into engagement with aleading one of the empty reels on the conveyor and then turned pivotallyto move the leading one of the reels up a ramp into the associated oneof the takeup positions. While strand material is distributed upon thereel in the one takeup position, the load-unload arm associated with theother takeup position is operated to permit the full reel therein tomove down the associated ramp, desirably without any substantialrolling, until the full reel is received on the conveyor associated withthe other takeup position. Then the full reel is turned rotatably in thedirection of takeup to wind any loose ends of strand material extendingtherefrom. The conveyor is operated to move the full reel toward anunload position and the leading one of the empty reels into proximatetransverse alignment with the other takeup position. The arm iscontrolled to engage the empty reel and move the empty reel up theassociated ramp to the associated other one of the takeup positions.

19 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures PATENTEBAPR 1 5 m5 SHEET 01m 1 877,653

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PATENTEQAPR 1 51915 3,877, 653

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PATENTED 19 3, 877. 653 sum 10 0F 13 MATCH LINE "6 [EA-LS9 REEL WIND306,5 MOTORS FOR RIGHT 950/- RIGHT CONVEYOR INDEX -TRANSLATE FOR LE FTLEFT CONVEYOR INDEX-TRANSLATE FIG. /7C

HANDLING REELS IN HIGH-SPEED TAKEL'P CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-impart application ofapplication Ser. No. 228.595. filed Feb. 23. 1972. now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to handling reels for taking up elongated material, and. moreparticularly. to methods of and apparatus for automatically supplyingempty reels to two takeup positions and removing full reels therefromwith improved facilities for eliminating the extension of free endportions of the strand material from the full reels.

2. Technical Considerations and the Prior Art One of the problemsassociated with the taking up of strand material has been the loadingand unloading of reels. Many of the earlier takeups supported the takeupreels on a common axis of rotation. In at least one such apparatus. aleading one of a supply of empty reels is rolled into alignment with atakeup position and an elevator is controlled to raise the empty reelinto the takeup position. After the reel is full. the elevator lowersthe reel to a roll-off position where the fully wound reel is rolledfrom the elevator onto the floor. Adjustable inclined runways leadingfrom the takeup positions to the manufacturing floor have been used inorder to permit the easy removal ofa full reel of strand materialwithout manually having to lift the reel.

The use of two takeup reels arranged on a common axis has involvedcertain drawbacks. For example. at cutover. the strand material beingtaken up is directed to span across two snaggers. one associated witheach of the takeup positions. This causes an undue amount of shock tothe strand material and has been the source of wire breaks in the past.Moreover. common axis takeups have never been conducive to the higherline speeds used today. In high speed takeups. it is not uncommon tomount the takeup reels on spaced parallel axes. A takeup apparatus ofthis type is exemplified by that shown in US. Pat. No. 2,546,637, issuedMar. 27. 1951, to Duer C. Robson.

With the trend toward higher line speeds of 4.000-5.000 feet per minuteand even more. while retaining conventionally sized standard reels. thefrequency of reel changes becomes a problem of more concern. To achievemanufacturing economies, it becomes necessary to incorporate anautomatic handling feature requiring minimum space into the high-speedtakeup so as to be able to supply empty reels to the takeup positionswhile removing the full reels.

In one commercially available high-speed takeup. the reel positionshaving parallel spaced axes are serviced by a conveyor and elevatorarrangement. There. empty reels are moved along an inclined track orramp along a path of travel transverse of the parallel spaced axes intoalignment with and beneath one of the takeup positions. An elevatorlifts the leading one of the reels upwardly into alignment with the onetakeup position. After the reel in the other one of the takeup positionis full. the full reel is lowered from that takeup position by anelevator to the track below and rolls down an inclined track to aloading pallet. Then, the next successive one of the empty reels ismoved into alignment with the other one of the takeup positions andelevated into that takeup position in anticipation of cutover.

In this. empty reels are advanced in one direction into one side of thetakeup apparatus into both takeup positions. and the full reels areremoved from those positions in the same direction but exit from anopposite side of the apparatus. This requires considerable floor spacein order to have an acceptable supply of the reels backed up behind thetakeup positions. Also. as the full reels are lowered by the elevatorsfrom the associated takeup positions to the inclined ramp or track topermit the reels to roll toward the pallet. half the reels tend to rollso as to unwind the convolutions of the strand material.

In the transfer of the strand material from one takeup reel to the othertakeup reel. the one severed end portion of the strand material is heldby the snagger associated with the empty reel. When the rotation of thefull reel is discontinued. the snagger is designed to release the freeleading end of the strand material. The accumulation of dirt and greaseor conductor scraps may cause a malfunction of the snagger release. Inthat event. a full reel may be removed from the takeup position with anend of the strand material extending to the snagger. This could causefurther malfunctioning of the apparatus.

Another problem relates to the free trailing end portion of the strandmaterial wound on the full reel. This end is desirably contained withina cover which has priorly been moved over a portion of the full reelincluding the flange. Frequently. the trailing portion of the strandmaterial escapes from the confines of the peripheral cover and forms aloose stock end of formidable length which whips around in uncontrolledfashion until the reel comes to a stop. A loose end spinning around witha full reel usually hits and rebounds more or less sharply from somepart or parts of the takeup and becomes marred or otherwise damaged.Moreover. damage is frequently sustained by the top layer of the woundstrand material on being hit in whip-like fashion by the severed endportion. This undesirable occurrence leads to what is referred to in theart as "slapnicks."

The prior art discloses facilities for averting any whipping of a looseend of strand material against the convolutions of strand material woundon a takeup reel in a common reel axis type takeup. Shields are usedwhich are in the whip path of a loose end of strand material and whichextend generally around the reels. These serve as fixed tracks whichintercept and lead the loose ends harmlessly around the full reel untilthe latter comes to a stop. The shield is provided with a gap in thecutover and wind-on regions so as to not obstruct the admission ofstrand material onto the reel and of the crossover sections of thestrand material to the snaggers of both reels. but over the width ofwhich a loose strand end is free to whip outwardly. A length of oneshield immediately following the gap in the drive direction of the reelis substantially linear and leads tangentially into the remainder of theshield which is of substantially circular shape. Any loose strandmaterial passing through the shield gap whips against this straightportion and is dragged harmlessly thereover. Facilities equally aseffective must be provided in highspeed parallel axis takeups.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A method of taking up successive sections of anelongated material on reels and which embodies certain principles ofthis invention includes moving empty reels along a path of travel toposition successive leading ones of the reels into a transfer positionassociated with a takeup position. moving each successive leading one ofthe empty reels from the path of travel of the empty reels into thetakeup position. supporting each successive leading one of the emptyreels for rotation in the takeup position, rotating the reel in thetakeup position while advancing and guiding elongated materialtransversely reciprocally across a winding surface of the reel in thetakeup position to distribute the elongated material in successivelayers on the reel. and then discontinuing the rotation of the reel inthe takeup position when the reel is full of the elongated material.Then each of the full reels is removed from the takeup position to apath of travel associated with the full reels while regulating turningof the full reel to insure that each of the full reels to be advancedsubsequently along the path of travel thereof has substantially all theelongated material wound thereon and that there are substantially noloose tails of elongated material extending therefrom.

An apparatus for taking up elongated material on reels which embodiescertain principles of this invention includes facilities for moving aplurality of empty reels along a path of travel to position successiveleading ones of the reels into a transfer position associated with atakeup position, facilities for moving each successive leading one ofthe empty reels from the path of travel of the empty reels into thetakeup position, facilities for supporting rotatably each successiveleading one of the empty reels in the takeup position, facilities foradvancing and guiding successive sections of elongated materialtransversely reciprocally across a winding surface of the reel in thetakeup position to distribute the elongated material in successivelayers on the reel. and facilities for rotating the reel in the takeupposition during the distribution of the elongated material thereon andfor discontinuing the rotation when the reel is full. Facilities areprovided for removing each of the full reels from the takeup position toa path of travel associated with the full reels and regulating turningof the full reel to insure that essentially all the elongated materialis wound on the reel and that there are no loose tails of elongatedmaterial extending therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will be apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. I is a perspective view of an apparatus for taking up strandmaterial embodying certain principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and taken alongthe lines 2-2 thereof and showing facilities for the automatic loadingand unloading of the takeup positions;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view ofa distributor carriage andtraverse mechanism for distributing successive layers of convolutions ofthe strand material on a reel supported in a takeup position;

therefrom;

FIG. 5 is a view of a snagger and reel drive facilities associated withone of the takeup positions and showing a deflector arm for use duringcutover from a full reel to an empty reel;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in elevation of the snagger shown in FIG. 5and taken along lines 6-6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the snagger shown in FIG. 5taken along lines 7-7 thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view ofa prior art shroud used in a takeupapparatus;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged front elevational view showing an improved shrouddesign for each of the takeup positions;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of the shroud in FIG. 9taken along lines 10-10 and showing the shroud relative to the reeltakeup position;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of portions of the conveyingfacilities shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating a device for indexing theconveyor to advance successive ones of the reels;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged elevational view of a portion of the conveyingfacilities shown in FIG. 11 associated with each one of the takeuppositions;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged end view of the conveyor shown in FIG. 11 andtaken along lines 13-13 thereof;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged end view of the conveyor shown in FIG. I1 alonglines 14-14 and showing facilities for turning the full reel;

FIGS. l5, l6 and 16A are elevational views of alternate embodiments ofapparatus embodying the principles of this invention;

FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C are schematic views of an electrical circuit forcontrolling the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. I; and

FIGS. 18 and 19 are graphical views of a table indi- A eating a sequenceof operations of the circuit shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Overall Referring now to FIG. 1, there isshown an apparatus, designated generally by the numeral 20, for takingup a strand material 21. Strand material 21 is advanced into a takeupmechanism, designated generally by the numeral 22, which includes anaccumulator, designated generally by the numeral 23, and then past adistributor. designated generally by the numeral 24, which distributesthe strand material in convolutions on a reel 26 supported in either oftwo takeup positions, designated A and B. The distribution is conductedcyclically, first on a reel 26 in one of the takeup positions and thenon a reel in the other takeup position. A takeup position is to beconstrued as the position of the reel supported for rotation and for thedistribution of strand material thereon. A plurality of empty reels26-26 are advanced along an associated one of a pair of identicalconveyors, each designated generally by the numeral 27. Successiveleading ones of the reels 26-26 are moved by load-unload facilities,designated generally by the numeral 28, from the conveyors 27-27 into anassociated one of the takeup positions A or B.

After the reel 26 currently having the convolutions of the strandmaterial 21 wound thereon is full, and after cutover has been effectedto the empty reel in the other one of the takeup positions. theassociated load-unload facilities 28 are controlled to move the fullreel onto the associated conveyor 27. Then the conveyor 27 is indexed toadvance the next successive leading empty reel 26 into lateral alignmentwith the takeup positions. The associated load-unload facilities 28 arecontrolled to move the now aligned next successive leading one of theempty reels 26-26 from the conveyor 27 and into the associated takeupposition A or B.

Subsequent to the accumulation of a predetermined number of full reels26-26 of the strand material 21 downstream of the takeup mechanism 22,an operator moves a dolly. designated generally by the numeral 29,between the conveyors 27-27. The full reels 26-26 are rolled from theconveyors 2727 onto a pallet 30 supported on the dolly 29 and the dollyis then moved to other phases of the manufacturing operation.

Takeup Mechanism Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown thetakeup mechanism 22 which includes the two reel takeup positionsdesignated A and B having spaced parallel axes of rotation. The strandmaterial 21 is advanced over a sheave 31 and into engagement with theaccumulator 23 positioned within an enclosure 32 supported on a frame33. Of course. the enclosure 32 is provided with appropriate accesswindows and doors (not shown) which are used for observation andmaintenance purposes, respectively. The strand material 21 is passedalternately around ones of a plurality of sheaves 34-34 which aremounted rotatably on a spin dle 36 fixed with respect to the frame andaround ones of a plurality of sheaves 37-37 which are mounted on a shaft38 extending from a support block 39 that is mounted slidably on a pairof spaced rods 41-41.

The accumulator 23 also includes a cylinder 42 having a piston rod 43extending therefrom between the rods 41-41 and connected to the supportblock 39. The cylinder 42 extends or retracts the piston rod 43 to movethe support block 39 slidably along the rods 41-41 to maintain apredetermined tension in the loops of the strand material 21. After thestrand material 21 has been passed alternately between the sheaves 34-34and the sheaves 37-37 of the accumulator 23, the strand material ispassed over a sheave 44, then around a sheave 46, both of which aremounted on a block 47 attached to the frame 33, and then into engagementwith the distributor 24.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the distributor 24 includes acarriage 50 which may be moved adjacent either of the takeup positions.The carriage 50 is comprised of a distributor head 51 having a pair ofspaced distributor rollers 52-52 mounted freely rotatably between twoside plates 53-53 and on associated ones of a pair of parallel guiderods 54-54 which extend through the side plates. The guide rods 54-54are supported at the ends thereof in a block 55 and a block 56 which aremounted on a guide rail 57 and a lead screw 58, respectively. The guiderail 57 and the lead screw 58 are mounted to the frame 33 such that theguide rail and the lead screw are parallel and support the blocks 55 and56 adjacent the outwardly facing surfaces of the flanges of the reel 26.

Moreover. the lead screw 58 is connected to a pulley 59 around which ispassed a timing belt 61. As the timing belt 61 is advanced in a firstdirection. the lead screw 58 is turned to move the block 56 and hencethe carriage 50 in a first direction transverse of the axes of rotationof the reels in the takeup positions. On the other hand. when the timingbelt 61 is advanced in an opposite direction, the lead screw 58 isturned rotatably in an opposite direction to move the carriage 50 in asecond direction. opposite to the first direction.

In order to distribute the strand material 21 on the reel 26. the head51 is mounted for transverse movement between the blocks 55 and 56 andparallel to the axes of rotation of the reels 26-26. A stepping motor 62is mounted external to the block 55 and is connected through a rack 63and pinion gear (not shown) to a rod 64 attached to one of the sideplates 53-53. The stepping motor 62 is controlled to cyclically reversethe movement of the distributor head 51 along the rods 54-54. Of course.a conventionally used hydraulic cylinder (not shown) may replace thestepping motor with the movement of the head 51 being controlled bylimit switches (not shown) set at the limits of head travel in eachdirection.

In the past. it has been somewhat conventional to have the distributor24 assume a position along the lead screw 58 during takeup which isintermediate the reels 26-26 in the takeup positions A and B. Thedistributor 24 of the apparatus 20, embodying the principles of theinvention, assumes alternately either of two positions, each of thepositions being associated with one of the takeup positions A or B. Thedistributing position associated with each one of the reel takeuppositions A and B is located intermediate the centerline between the tworeel positions and the one reel position. The carriage 50, as seen inFIG. 2, is in a distribution position for the takeup position A. In thisway. the carriage 50 is desirably during distribution as close aspossible to the layers of convolutions of the strand material 21.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the takeup mechanism 22 includesfacilities for supporting one of the reels 26-26 in each one of thetakeup positions A or B. Each of the facilities 80 associated with oneof the takeup positions A and B includes a first springloaded cone 81which is adapted to be received in one of the hub openings of one of thereels 26-26 and a second cone 82 adapted to be received in the other oneof the hub openings. A reel clamping cylinder 83 is controlled to movethe second cone 82 into the hub opening of the reel 26 to move the reelinto seating engagement with the first cone 81.

As can best be seen in FIG. 4, the first cone 81 is connected to one endof a spindle 84 having an enlarged end 87 and which is slidably mountedin a housing 86. A compression spring 88 concentrically disposed aboutthe spindle 84 between and engaging a shoulder 89 biases the spindle tothe right as viewed in FIG. 4.

The spindle 84 functions as an eject mechanism for the reel 26. Toaccomplish this, a push-off cylinder 91 attached to a stanchion 92supported on the frame 33 has a piston rod 93 extending therefrom andaligned with the axis of the spindle 84 (see FIG. 4). The piston rod 93has a contacting element 94 attached to the end thereof for engaging theenlarged end 87 and transmitting forces from the cylinder 91 to thespindle 84 to move the cone 81 to the left as viewed in FIG. 4. When thepush-off cylinder 91 is controlled to retract the piston rod 93 anddisengage the contacting element 94 from the enlarged end 87. thecompression spring 88 urges the spindle 84 to the right as viewed inFIG. 4. to reposition the cone 81 in a reel support position.

A reel 26 supported in one of the takeup positions A or B is turnedrotatably about the axis of rotation by a frictional drive whichincludes a pad 96 (see FIG. of material. e.g.. rubber cork material.having a high coefficient of friction. The pad 96 engages with theradial surfaces of the reel flange adjacent the support cone 81 when thereel is supported on the support cones. The pad 96 is mounted on a plate97 attached to a shaft 98 (see FIG. 4) disposed concentrically about thespindle 84 and extending through the housing 86. The shaft 98 has apulley 99 attached thereto and over which is passed a belt 101 forturning the pulley.

The second cone 82 is mounted for movement colin early along the axes ofthe spindle 84 and the piston rod 93. The cone 82 is attached to one endofa rod 102 extending through a housing 103 and connected to a pistonrod (not shown) of the reel clamping cylinder 83.

Facilities are also provided for effecting a cutover of the strandmaterial between takeup positions. As is best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5,a deflector arm 106 positioned intermediate the takeup positions A and Bis mounted for pivotal movement in a plane parallel to the axes ofrotation in the takeup positions A and B. The deflector arm 106 isattached to a clevis 105 which is pinned to a bearing 107. The deflectorarm 106 is moved by a cylinder 108 pin-connected to the frame 33 with apiston rod 111 extending from the cylinder and connected to the clevis105.

The cutover facilities associated with each of the takeup positions Aand B includes snagging facilities, designated generally by the numeral116 and best shown in FIGS. 5. 6 and 7. The snagging facilities 116includes an annular member 117 mounted on the plate 97 and includingdiametrically opposed snaggers, each designated generally by thenumerals 118ll8.

Each of the snaggers l18-118 includes a tooth 119 projecting outwardlyfrom the annular member 117. The tooth 119 is designed to form anopening 121 between the tooth and an enlarged end 122 ofa lever 123mounted pivotally about a fulcrum 124. The other end of the lever 123includes a housing 126 adapted to receive a compression spring 127 whichis in engagement with the annular member 117. The spring 127 tends tobias the lever 123 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6.

The compression spring 127 is selected so that when an empty reel 26 ispositioned in the takeup position, the reel flange engages the housing126 (see FIG. 6), overcomes the spring and urges the lever 123 in aclockwise direction to form a captive slot between the tooth 119 and theenlarged end 122. At cutover, a portion of the strand material 21 isgripped therebetween so that takeup may proceed.

The snagging facilities 116 associated with each of the takeup positionsA and B positively mechanically releases the end portion of the strandmaterial therefrom at the conclusion of the rotation of the takeup reel.The operation of the eject facilities to move the reel 26 through thedistance d shown in FIG. 4 causes the reel flange to become disengagedfrom the housing 126 (see FIG. 6). This permits the spring 126 to urgethe lever 123 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 6, andenlarge the opening between the tooth 119 and the enlarged end 122 ofthe lever. This causes the strand material 21 to be positively released.

Still further improvements have been made to the cutover facilities fortransferring the takeup of the strand material from say position A toposition B. Customarily, during cutover in a takeup arrangement such asthis, the distributor 24, assuming the takeup of strand material isnearly complete on a reel 26 in the takeup position A. is movedtransverse of the axis of rotation through the position B and to theexternal side thereof. Subsequently, the deflector arm 106 is moved toengage the strand material and move the strand material toward thatportion of the empty reel adjacent the snagging facilities 116.

Just prior thereto. a slidably mounted shroud (see FIG. 8) alignedconcentrically with the snagger plate 97 is moved to cover the snaggerplate as well as the reel flange engaged by the snagger pad 96. Thisarrangement is necessary in order to prevent the snagging facilities 116associated with the full reel from engaging the strand material 21 atcutover. The rotation of the full reel 26 of strand material 21 in onedirection, clockwise. and the rotation of the empty reel 26 in anopposite counterclockwise direction, causes the strand material to bebroken and the new leading end to be snagged by the facilities 118associated with the empty reel.

The trailing, newly established free end of the strand material 21 onthe full reel 26 may, if not properly contained, be whipped around thereel 26 prior to deceleration and ultimate stopping of the reel, therebyengaging other parts of the apparatus and causing damage to the freeend. Also, the free end whips into engagement with the topmost layer ofconvolutions and causes damage to the insulation thereof. Additionally,the free. whipping end of the strand material 21 may interfere with thefunctioning of the distributor 24.

Priorly used equipment has not been entirely satisfactory in containingthe loose end of the strand material on the full reel to remain withinthe shroud 140 and be dragged harmlessly therearound duringdeceleration. There is illustrated in FIG. 8 a typical prior art shroud.The shroud 140 there has a flared out portion which begins atapproximately three oclock when facing the shroud as viewed in FIG. 8.The shroud 140 decreases gradually in width as measured parallel to thereel axis of rotation and beginning at approximately nine oclock assumesa generally constant width. At cutover, the loose end of the strandmaterial 21 is first engaged by the entrance portion at the three oclockpoint.-

Since the strand material 21 is severed generally in the vicinity of thedeflector arm 106, the loose end must whip around the reel forapproximately one-half revolution before engaging the shroud 140. Thiscauses damage to the loose end and, moreover, decreases the probabilitythat the loose end will be captured within the shroud 140. This isespecially true if the cutover occurs, other occurs adjacent the innerreel flange.

An improved shroud 141 (see FIGS. 5 and 9) includes a reduced widthportion 146 with a lead-in or guide section 147 at approximately eightoclock when viewing the shroud as shown in FIG. 9. The width of the topportion of the shroud 141 as viewed in FIG. 9 and 10 and beginning atapproximately 9 oclock assumes a generally constant width. In this way,when the strand material 21 is broken, the loose end is engaged by theshroud 141 almost contemporaneously with the breaking. As before. and asis shown in FIG. 10, the shroud 141 is mounted on a plate 148 connectedto a pair of slidably mounted support rods 149-149. The shroud 141 ismoved into an extended position covering the reel 26 by actuating an aircylinder 142 to extend a piston rod 145 connected to the plate 148.After cutover. the operation of the air cylinder 142 is reversed toretract the shroud 141.

It should also be pointed out that further modifications of the shroud141 may be made within the scope of this invention. The shroud 141 (seeFIG. may be mounted on either the spindle side of each takeup positionor on the clamping cone 82 side. Because of space limitations. a shroudmounted on the cone 81 or spindle side is not sufficiently large tocover the full reel completely. These space limitations are not presenton the cone 82 side. Hence. the shroud 141 shown in FIG. 10 could bemounted on the cone 82 side and be large enough to cover substantiallythe entire width of the reel when moved thereover by the cylinder 142.

Handling Facilities In order to automate the handling of reels 26-26,the apparatus is provided with the conveyors 27-27 and the load-unloadfacility 28 associated with each one of the take-up positions.

Each one of the conveyors 27-27 includes an elongated track 151 (seeFIG. 1) and is designed to move the reels 26-26 along a path parallel tothe axes of rotation of the takeup positions. The track 151 (see FIG.11) includes two plates 152-152 upstanding from a base 153. A top edgesurface 154 of each of the plates is beveled to support the reels 26-26straddled thereacross (see FIG. 13).

Facilities are provided for indexing the reels 26-26 along the track151. A longitudinally extending rod 156 having a plurality of pins157-157 projecting laterally therefrom (see FIG. 11) is supportedrotatably in bearings 158-158 extending between the plates 152-152.

The conveyor 27 is designed so that reels 26-26 span across the plates152-152 such that the lowermost portions of the flanges are spacedslightly above the rod 156 (see FIG. 13) but below the tops of the pins157-157. Moreover, the pins 157-157 are spaced along the rod 156 suchthat one of the reels 26-26 may be received between each adjacent pairofthe pins (see FIG. 12).

One end 155 of the rod 156 is mounted in a bushing 159 attached througha plate 161 to a piston extension 162 connected to an air cylinder 163.It should be observed that the end 155 of the rod 156 is held within thebushing 159 such that the rod may be moved rotatably within or withrespect to the bushing but may not be moved longitudinally with respectthereto.

The other end 164 of the rod 156 has a sleeve 166 attached thereto (seeFIG. 11) with the sleeve attached through a linkage 167 to a piston rod168 ofa pivotally mounted cylinder 169. Upon actuation of the cylinder169, the piston rod 168 is withdrawn within the cylinder to turn thesleeve 166 to turn the rod 156 and rotate the pins 157-157 to theposition as shown in phantom in FIG. 13.

Additionally, and as can best be seen in FIGS. 11 and 14, the conveyor27 includes a pair of spaced rollers 171 and 172. The rollers 171 and172 are mounted rotatably in the reel transfer position associated witheach of the takeup positions A and B. Each of the rollers'171 and 172 isconnected through belts 173 and 174, respectively. (see FIG. 14) to ashaft 176 which is driven through a gear arrangement (not shown) by amotor 177.

It should also be observed that when the reel 26 is supported betweenthe rollers 171 and 172 that each of the flanges of the reels issupported along a line which is coplanar with one of the beveledsurfaces 154-154 on the upstanding plates 152-152 which form the track151 of the conveyor 27.

It should be noted that the conveyor 27 as depicted in FIG. 11 isassociated with the takeup position B. The orientation must be such thatthe rollers 171 and 172 be adjacent the takeup position with bearings-175 therefor being disposed on opposite sides thereof (see FIG. 14).This will facilitate ones of reels 26-26 being moved from the track 151into engagement with the remainder of the load-unload facilitates.

The takeup apparatus 20 also includes load-unload facilitates fortransferring successive leading ones of the empty reels 26-26 from theconveyor 27 to the associated takeup position and full reels from thetakeup position to the associated one ofthe conveyors 27-27. Theload-unload facilities 28 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 11) include a pivotallymounted arm 181 which cooperates with a loading ramp 182 associated witheach of the takeup positions.

The loading arm 181 is mounted pivotally on a shaft 183 of a rotarymotor (not shown). The loading arm 181 associated with the other one ofthe takeup positions is mounted to be turned pivotally in an oppositedirection. The motor (not shown) is controlled by an electrical controlcircuit 200 to move the arm in a clockwise or counterclockwise directionthrough an opening 186 (see FIG. 1) in the enclosure 32. The arm 181 ismoveable between two limiting positions as determined by counting pulsesif, for example. the motor is a stepper motor (see motors 3M and 4M.FIG. 17C).

The width of the arm 181 is sufficient to span across the reel flangesto move the reels up and down the associated one of the ramps 182-182.Moreover. the arm 181 is constructed to include a flange 192 (see FIGS.1 and 14) along that edge of the arm which is on side of the armopposite that side adjacent the associated support cone 81. The flange192 acts as a guide as the arm is controlled to move the reel 26 alongthe ramp 182.

The flange 192 serves the dual function of being a stop to limit themovement of the reel 26 to the left. as viewed in FIG. 4, by the ejectfacilities. The other side of the arm 181 must be unobstructed to permitthe eject facilities to move the reel 26 off the cone 81 transversely ofand into alignment with the arm. This also permits sliding off one ofthe empty reels 26-26 from the arm 181 into clamping position betweenthe cones 81 and 82.

The ramp 182 comprises a channel track of a width sufficient toaccommodate the outside flange-to-flange dimensions of the reels 26-26.The ramp 182 associated with each of the reel positions defines anarcuate path from a position adjacent to and aligned with the rollers171 and 172 upwardly to a position below the associated takeup positionsA and B. Moreover, the lower portion of each of the ramps 182-182 is atthe same level as the topmost portion of the path of travel of therollers 171 and 172.

The length and arcuate shape of the arm 181 and the ramp 182 aredesigned so that one of the reels 26-26 is moved by the arm 181 up theramp until the reel axis is aligned colinearly with the axis of rotationof the takeup position. At that time. the reel 26 is aligned axiallysuch that the reel is spaced slightly, e.g.. onequarter inch from theclosest portion of the driving side cone 81. The reel 26 must be movedapproximately I inch from the ramp 182 into a clamped position betweenthe cones 81 and 82 with the cones extending into the hub opening.

Some commercial takeup apparatus permit empty reels to roll intoalignment with the takeup positions and full reels to roll outtherefrom. This has led to the undesirable unraveling of the strandmaterial 21.

The apparatus is designed to minimize the rolling of the reels 26-26. Itis important that the reel 26 not be rolled along the ramp 182 butmerely be guided thereby and moved by the arm 181. This does not becomean important consideration in the upper reaches of the ramp 182 sincethe arm 181 approaches a generally horizontal position and the reel 26is supported solely by the arm 181.

On the other hand, as a full reel of strand material approachesthe-lower, generally horizontal, end of the ramp 182, there has been atendency for the reels to roll a slight distance, thereupon unraveling ashort length of the strand material 21. In order to overcome this. thelower portion of the ramp 182 may be covered with a material such asTEFLON which has a low coefficient of friction. This insures that thereel 26 slides without substantial turning thereof about the hub axis,thereby avoiding undesirable rolling.

These provisions for insuring that each final package of strand material21 does not have loose ends extending therefrom are supplemented by therollers 171 and 172. Should there be a slight turning of the full reel26 or should a loose tail be held at some point in the takeup position.e.g., a malfunctioning snagger release, the turning of the rollerscauses the reel to wind up any loose strand material 21.

Portions of the strand material 21 adjacent the free trailing end tendto become unwound from the reel 26, especially with particularinsulation materials. If the conductor is covered with tougher stiffermaterials such as polypropylene, the final layer of convolutions tend tobecome loose or unraveled after takeup. This is generally not true withthe more flexible insulative materials.

Alternate Embodiments The principles of this invention may also be usedin a common axis takeup. An input conveyor for moving empty reels may bepositioned on one side of the takeup positions parallel to the axis ofrotation and with a full reel conveyor positioned on the other side ofthe takeup positions. Four arms 181-181 could be used, two being on eachside of the takeup positions. One of the arms may be used to load emptyones of the reels into one of the takeup positions along an associatedramp while a second arm associated with the one takeup position may beused to remove full reels of the strand material 21 to the full reelconveyor.

Also, it is within the scope of the invention to use a parallel-spacedaxes of rotation arrangement as described in the preferred embodiment ofthe invention with a single conveyor positioned intermediate the takeupposition and with a single arm having forked portions extending inopposite directions to alternately move reels to and from selected onesof the two takeup positions.

The conveyor 27 could be modified as shown in FIG. 15. There the rollers171 and 172 are mounted for reciprocal movement. As is shown in the leftportion of that figure. after the full reel is returned to the conveyor27 associated with the takeup position A, the rollers 171 and 172 aremoved upwardly to disengage the reel 26 from the plates 152-152 and thenturn the reel. This permits the use of an unbroken track 151.

Another embodiment of a takeup apparatus embodying the principles ofthis invention is shown in FIG. 16. There, the conveyors 2727 arelocated vertically below each of the takeup positions. Elevatorarrangements employing nonrotating cylinder rods move the empty reels26-26 to the takeup positions and return full reels to the conveyorswithout rotation. This embodiment also, desirably, includes the rollers171 and 172 to wind up any loose ends of strand material 21 extendingfrom the reels 26-26 because of, for example. a malfunctioning snaggerrelease.

Of course, the rollers 171 and 172 could be modified as shown in FIG.16A. The rollers there are generally cylindrical with tapered ends. Thetopmost portion of each tapered end is slightly above the top of theassociated side plate 152. The indexing of the reels 26-26 causes a reelto be moved up along the tapered ends and onto the enlargedcenterportions for turning. In this embodiment, the rollers need not beinterposed between sections of the track, but could be positionedadjacent thereto as shown in FIG. 15. The use of tapered ends avoidshaving to raise the rollers 10 turn the reel 26. Since the reel 26indexed onto the enlarged portions is raised above the beveled tops154-154 of the plates 152-152, turning of the reel supported on therollers may be accomplished.

Operation In carrying out the principles of the methods of thisinvention, an operator periodically loads empty ones of the reels 26-26at the upstream end of each of the conveyors 2727 associated with eachof the takeup positions A and B. Also, the operator moves one of thereel dollies 29-29 into a receiving position intermediate the downstreamends of the conveyors 2727 as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. l7A-17C, there is shown in schematic anelectrical circuit, designated generally by the numeral 200, forcontrolling the operation of thetakeup apparatus 20. It is assumedhereinafter that the operation will begin with the left side of theapparatus 20. In order to initiate the operation of the apparatus 20,the operator depresses a pushbutton 201 on the overall line controlwhich causes a line run relay 202 (see FIG. 18) and a controlled stoprelay 203 connected across a main power supply to be energized. Theenergization of the relay 203 closes a normally open contact 203-1 (FIG.17A) in a line between main branch lines 204, 205 and 206, closes anormally open contact 203-2 (FIG. 17B) and opens normally closedcontacts 203-3 (FIG. 17B) and 203-4 (FIG. 17A).

The circuit also includes relays 305, 306 and 311 which are sensingrelays and which function to indicate in which takeup position thestrand material 21 is being wound. A limit switch lLS is a memory limitswitch. If

the carriage 50 is in position over the right reel or 'B

1. A method of handling reels in a dual position takeup apparatus, whichincludes the steps of: moving empty reels along a path of travel toposition successive leading ones of the reels in proximate alignmentwith one of the takeup positions; moving each successive leading one ofthe empty reels from the path of travel of the empty reels to positionthe reel so that the axis of rotation of the reel is colinear with theaxis of rotation of the one takeup position; supporting each successiveleading one of the empty reels for rotation in the one takeup position;rotating the reel in the one takeup position; while advancing andguiding elongated material transversely reciprocally across a windingsurface of the reel in the one takeup position to distribute theelongated material in successive layers on the reel; discontinuing therotation of the reel in the one takeup position when the reel is full ofelongated material; and removing each of the full reels from the onetakeup position to an associated path of travel for full reels; andregulating turning of the full reel to insure that each of the fullreels to be advanced subsequently along the path of travel thereof hassubstantially all the elongated material wound thereon and substantiallywithout loose tails of elongated material extending therefrom.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the axes of rotation of the takeup positionsare colinear.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the axes of rotation ofthe takeup position are parallel.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thereels are aligned transversely of, and the successive leading ones ofthe reels are moved into alignment with, the takeup positions such thatthe each successive leading one of the reels is offset a predetermineddistance from the associated takeup position, the distance beingmeasured parallel to the axes of rotation.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the path of travel of the empty reels and the path of travel ofthe full reels are colinear.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein each ofthe takeup positions has a path of travel associated therewith.
 7. Amethod of taking up successive sections of a strand material cyclicallyon an empty reel in one takeup position and then on an empty reel inanother takeup position, the axes of rotation of the reels in the takeuppositions being parallel, which includes the steps of: moving aplurality of empty reels along a path of travel associated with each ofthe takeup positions and parallel to tHe axes of rotation to positionsuccessive leading ones of the empty reels in a transfer position alongthe path of travel in proximate alignment with the associated takeupposition such that each successive one of the reels is offset apredetermined distance from the associated takeup position as measuredparallel to the axes of rotation; transferring each successive leadingone of the empty reels from the associated path of travel transverselyof the path of travel into axial alignment with the associated one ofthe takeup positions; moving the empty reel axially along the associatedaxis of rotation into the takeup position; supporting rotatably eachsuccessive leading one of the empty reels in the associated one of thetakeup positions; rotating the reel in the one takeup position; whileadvancing and guiding successive sections of a strand materialreciprocally transversely across a winding surface of the reel in theone takeup position to distribute the strand material in successivelayers of convolutions of the reel in the one takeup position; rotatingthe reel in the other one of the takeup positions; while transferringthe distribution of the strand material from the reel in the one takeupposition to the reel in the other one of the takeup positions;discontinuing the rotation of the reel in the one takeup position whenthe reel is full of strand material; moving the full reel axially of thetakeup position; removing the full reel transversely of the path oftravel from the one takeup position to the transfer position in theassociated path of travel; and regulating turning of each successive oneof the full reels to provide a package of strand material withessentially all strand material being wound in convolutions thereon andsubstantially without loose tails of strand material extendingtherefrom.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the regulating turning ofeach of the full reels includes: moving the full reels from the onetakeup position to the transfer position in the associated path oftravel with a minimal turning of the reel; and then turning the fullreel of strand material in the path of travel to wind up any loose endsof strand material extending therefrom; and further including the stepsof: moving the full reel out of the transfer position associated withthe one takeup position while moving the next successive leading one ofthe empty reels into the transfer position; and transferring the nextsuccessive leading one of the reels into the one takeup position whilethe successive layers of convolutions of strand material are beingdistributed on the reel in the other one of the takeup positions.
 9. Anapparatus for handling reels in a dual position takeup for elongatedmaterial, which includes: means for moving a plurality of empty reelsalong a path of travel to position successive leading ones of the reelsin alignment with one of the takeup positions; means for moving eachsuccessive leading one of the empty reels from the path of travel of theempty reels into the one takeup position; means for supporting rotatablyeach successive leading one of the empty reels in the one takeupposition; means for advancing and guiding an elongated materialtransversely reciprocally across a winding surface of the reel in theone takeup position to distribute the elongated material in successivelayers on the reel; means for rotating the reel in the one takeupposition during the distribution of the elongated material thereon andfor discontinuing the rotation when the reel is full; means for movingeach of the full reels from the one takeup position to an associatedpath of travel for full reels; and means for regulating turning of thefull reels to insure that each of the full reels to be advancedsubsequently along the path of travel has substantially all theelongated material wound thereon and substantially without loose tailsof elongated mateRial extending therefrom.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the axes of rotation of reels in the takeup positions areparallel.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the axes of rotation ofthe reels in the takeup positions are colinear.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein each of the takeup positions has a path of travelassociated therewith.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the reelsare aligned transversely and the successive leading ones of the emptyreels are moved into transverse alignment with the takeup positions. 14.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the path of travel of the empty reelsand the path of travel of the full reels are colinear.
 15. An apparatusfor taking up successive sections of a strand material cyclically on areel in one takeup position and then on a reel in another takeupposition, which includes: means for supporting rotatably a reel in eachof the takeup positions; means for rotating the reel in the one takeupposition; means for advancing and guiding successive sections of astrand material transversely reciprocally across a winding surface ofthe reel in the one takeup position to distribute the strand material insuccessive layers of convolutions on the reel in the one takeupposition; means for rotating the reel in the other one of the takeuppositions; means for transferring the distribution of the strandmaterial from the reel in the one takeup position to the reel in theother one of the takeup positions; means for discontinuing the rotationof the reel in the one takeup position; means for intermittentlyadvancing a plurality of empty reels along a path of travel associatedwith each of the takeup positions to move successive leading ones of theempty reels into a transfer position associated with the takeup positionand responsive to a full reel in the transfer position for moving thefull reel along the path of travel and out of the transfer position andmoving the next successive one of the empty reels thereinto; and meansresponsive to each successive leading one of the empty reels being movedinto the transfer position for transferring each successive leading oneof the empty reels from the transfer position transversely of the pathof travel into the associated one of the takeup positions while thedistribution of strand material on the other reel is proceeding and forremoving the reel full of the strand material from the one takeupposition transversely of the path of travel into the transfer positionin the path of travel associated with the one takeup position whileregulating turning of the full reel to provide a full reel withessentially all strand material being wound thereon.
 16. The apparatusof claim 15, wherein the transfer position associated with each of thetakeup positions is offset laterally therefrom a predetermined distanceas measured along the axis of rotation of the takeup position and thetransferring means moves each successive empty reel into alignment withthe axis of rotation of the associated takeup position and furtherincludes: means rendered effective upon alignment of an empty one of thereels with the associated takeup position for displacing the reellaterally along the axis of rotation into the takeup position; and meansresponsive to the discontinuance of rotation of a full one of the reelsfor ejecting the full reel from the associated takeup position laterallyalong the axis of rotation to permit the transferring means to move thereel to the transfer position in the associated path of travel.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for transferring the full reelwhile regulating turning of the full reel includes: means for moving thefull reel from the takeup position to the associated path of travel witha minimal turning of the reel; and means for turning the full reel ofstrand material in the path of travel in the direction of takeup to windup any loose ends of strand material Extending therefrom.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein: the means for moving the reel withminimal amount of turning includes: an arcuately shaped ramp extendingfrom each of the takeup positions to an associated one of the advancingmeans; an arcuately shaped pivotally mounted arm having a width greaterthan the flange-to-flange distance of each of the reels; means mountingthe arm for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent theassociated one of the reel takeup positions and a second positionspanning across the associated advancing means; and the means forturning the full reel includes: a pair of spaced rollers for receiving areel therebetween and having axes of rotation parallel to the axes ofrotation of the takeup positions, the path of travel of the reels beingintermediate the rollers.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: thepivotally shaped arm is formed with an upstanding flange along one edgethereof; the arm being effective to slide the reel along the ramp untilthe axis of the reel is colinear with the axis of rotation of the takeupposition; each of the means for supporting a reel for rotation includesa pair of spaced axially aligned cones, each of the cones adapted to bereceived in a hub opening of one of the reels to engage the walls of thehub opening; the displacing and ejecting means of the transferring meansalso including: means rendered effective by the transfer of an empty oneof the reels from the transfer position by the arm into the alignmentthereof with the axes of rotation for engaging one of the cones with thereel hub and then pushing the reel laterally of the arm off theunflanged side thereoff until the other heel opening of the reel ismoved over the other one of the cones and the reel is supported on thecones; and means responsive to the completion of the taking up of thestrand material on the reel in the one takeup position for retractingthe one cone and for simultaneously pushing the reel along the axis ofrotation until the reel is aligned with the arm whereupon the one coneis moved further to disengage the one cone from the reel and the othercone retracted and the reel is supported on the arm.